Repotting guide

When & how to repot Forked Aichryson (Aichryson dichotomum)

Also called Forked Aichryson, Tree of Love.

More about forked aichryson

About Forked Aichryson

Aichryson dichotomum · also called Forked Aichryson, Tree of Love · houseplant

A biennial or short-lived perennial succulent endemic to the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Hierro, Gomera), growing 20–40 cm tall with dichotomously branching stems covered in soft hairs. Bright yellow star flowers appear in spring and summer. Grows in laurel-forest shade; prefers cool, bright conditions indoors with a distinct winter rest.

Mature size: 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall; occasionally to 80 cm (32 in) in ideal conditions

Watch for — Root rot in waterlogged soil: Despite tolerating more moisture than desert succulents, prolonged soggy soil causes rapid collapse. Ensure drainage holes are unobstructed and reduce watering immediately if the stem base feels soft.

How to tell forked aichryson needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For forked aichryson, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot forked aichryson

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Forked Aichryson's growth habit — biennial to short-lived perennial succulent; dichotomously branched upright stems densely clothed with soft, short glandular hairs; rosettes at branch tips — sets the pace. A biennial or short-lived perennial succulent endemic to the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Hierro, Gomera), growing 20–40 cm tall with dichotomously branching stems covered in soft hairs. Bright yellow star flowers appear in spring and summer. Grows in laurel-forest shade; prefers cool, bright conditions indoors with a distinct winter rest.

What size pot to step forked aichryson up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Forked Aichryson stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot forked aichryson

Spring or summer, while forked aichryson is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting forked aichryson

Repot dry. Do not water forked aichryson for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty sandy loam or cactus compost with good drainage ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set forked aichryson at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep forked aichryson completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for forked aichryson

Forked Aichryson wants sandy loam or cactus compost with good drainage. Grow in slightly acidic (pH 6.1–6.5), sandy or loamy, well-drained soil. Unlike arid-region succulents it tolerates a slightly richer mix. Add 30% perlite or coarse sand to standard cactus compost. Good drainage is still essential — waterlogged roots cause collapse. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting forked aichryson — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot forked aichryson?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for forked aichryson. Repot forked aichryson every 2–3 years into a snug pot of sandy loam or cactus compost with good drainage, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does forked aichryson need?

When is the best time of year to repot forked aichryson?

Should you water forked aichryson after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot forked aichryson into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise forked aichryson after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting forked aichryson. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.